Temporary shelter

ABSTRACT

A temporary shelter that is easy to assemble and disassemble and suitable for use in providing, for example, medical and healthcare services to patients having infectious diseases, as temporary drop-off testing facilities, and/or as emergency housing for the homeless. In one embodiment, the shelters are comprised of one or more modules, which, in turn, are comprised of a PVC pipe structure, a skin covering the structure, zipper doors, and a floor. The modules may be attached to pre-existing structures, attached to other modules to form a larger shelter, or left as a standalone shelter.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/065,913, filed on Aug. 14, 2020, entitled “Temporary Shelter,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, generally, to a temporary shelter and, more particularly, to a shelter that is easy to assemble and disassemble and suitable for use in providing, for example, medical and healthcare services to patients having infectious diseases, as temporary drop-off testing facilities, and/or as emergency housing for the homeless.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

Emergency shelters and mobile field hospitals are known in the art. See, e.g., www.blu-med.com.

It is an object of the present invention to provide temporary shelters that are comprised of modular units that are easy to assemble and disassemble, easily configurable into multi-unit structures, and easily disinfected after use. Shelters in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention can fill gaps at hospitals by providing emergency screening and treatment rooms capable of repeated use after proper sanitation. These shelters can also serve as emergency housing for the homeless, or as temporary drop-off testing facilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an assembled module;

FIG. 3 depicts a configuration of modules in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of a module in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 5A-5E are drawings of an embodiment of corner piece 4;

FIGS. 6A-6E are drawings of an embodiment of corner piece 5;

FIGS. 7A-7E are drawings of an embodiment of corner piece 6.

FIG. 8 depicts another configuration of modules in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

In the different figures, like numerals are used to refer to like components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the invention, the shelters are comprised of one or more modules, which, in turn, are comprised of a PVC pipe structure, a skin covering the structure, zipper doors, and a floor. The modules may be attached to pre-existing structures, attached to other modules to form a larger shelter, or left as a standalone shelter. As described in further detail below, the modules are preferably designed to be quickly and easily disinfected, capable of heavy use, and capable of providing a sterile, safe environment for patients and those seeking shelter.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exploded-view of a module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and also shows within the exploded-view the general structure of the assembled module. The module is comprised of a tubular frame formed by pipes 1, 2, 3, that are friction-fitted into corner pieces (or nodes) 4, 5, 6. Pipes 1, 2, 3 may alternatively or additionally be glued or bolted to the corner pieces depending on the design or need. Pipes 1, 2, 3 may be of any suitable size or material. For example, pipes 1, 2, 3 may be standard, off-the-shelf ABS or PVC pipes that are friction-fitted to the corner pieces and bolted for security if needed. 4-inch PVC plumbing pipe that is commonly found in hardware stores may be used. As described further below, the corner pieces may include a center hole that provides the ability to fix add-ons and/or provide tie-down points. In one embodiment, skin 7 includes sleeves 8 through which pipes 1, 2, 3 may be inserted. A sleeve 8 may be formed from a single piece of material, the edges of which are attached, such as by stitching or other suitable methods, to form a passage, and a pipe may be inserted by sliding the pipe through the passage. In another embodiment, a sleeve 8 is formed by two pieces of material that are fitted with a connecter, such as Velcro, snaps, or a zipper, that can be enclosed around a pipe 1, 2, 3. Skin 7 may be made of any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, a heavy gauge nylon (such as 420 denier or 1000 Denier Coated Cordura® nylon fabric) or vinyl.

Large windows 9, made of vinyl or another suitable material, may be included in the skin to provide sunlight and protect inhabitants. Windows 9 may be removably attached to the skin using a zipper or other suitable method of removable attachment. Large removable zip doorways 10 provide easy access for large objects like medical beds and can also be extended to provide a vestibule. In one embodiment, the doorway is 8×8 feet. The modules may also be joined directly or connected by a zip-on hallway to other modules or structures. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only three lengths of pipe are needed—(i) the length of pipes 1, which form the top and bottom of hexagonal structures 11; (ii) the length of pipes 2, which form the lateral sides of hexagonal structures 11; and (iii) the lengths of pipes 3, which form, for example, the lateral square structures in the modules, including the doorways 10.

There is a bottom bucket or floor 12, which may be made of a vinyl sheet or another suitable material. In one embodiment the floor has turned-up edges. The floor may be removable and replaceable for easy cleaning and repair if needed. For example, the floor may be attached to the skin via a zipper or other suitable attachment method.

In another embodiment, the floor may be directly attached to the skin, for example, by seam taping or seam sealing. In addition, in this embodiment, if, for example, the sleeves are formed from two pieces of material that can be enclosed around the pipes, the entire skin and floor can be removed, and optionally replaced, as a single unit.

In one embodiment, the module can be erected by two men with no tools in less than 20 minutes.

In another embodiment, the design of the module provides a continuous smooth interior surface that minimizes or eliminates gaps in which germs may hide. This allows for easy cleaning of the interior and enables hospital staff to quickly disinfect, de-ionize, and bleach the interior of the modules.

FIGS. 5A-5E are drawings of an embodiment of corner pieces 4. FIGS. 6A-6E are drawings of an embodiment of corner pieces 5. FIGS. 7A-7E are drawings of an embodiment of corner pieces 6. In this embodiment, the corner pieces 4, 5, 6 are made to accommodate a standard 4-inch diameter PVC plumbing pipe. The pipe can be inserted 3 inches creating a tight friction fit. Once the entire structure is assembled, the connections between the corner pieces 4, 5, 6 and the pipes 1, 2, 3 would be extremely secure, but an adhesive or mechanical fasteners, bolts or screws could be put in place to make an even more secure connection. In each corner piece 4, 5, 6, there is a cylindrical portion 51, 61, 71 having a hole 52, 62, 72 therethrough, which improves manufacturing of the corner pieces while providing a hard point of attachment for, e.g., a tie down, an eye bolt, etc. In one example, a wire or cable can be run through holes 52, 62, 72 and locked (for example, to a fixed structure or the other end of the wire or cable) or otherwise secured at each end to make the structure more tamper proof when used, for example, as a homeless housing structure. Alternatively, tamper proof bolts, such as a tamper proof eye-bolt, can be inserted through holes 52, 62, 72 and a wire or cable can be passed through or otherwise secured to the bolt, instead of directly run through holes 52, 62, 72. Also, the holes can be used to interlink a module with other modules to prevent tampering and help prevent damage to the modular shelter during a severe storm. The hollow tube frame and corner pieces also allow electric lines to be safely run throughout the structure, while again minimizing tampering. With a solar panel roof (described below) or other source of electricity, the electric lines can provide electricity for, e.g., LED lights, power charging ports such as USB ports for phone and computer charging, and other basic electrical needs. The ribs 53, 63, 73 on the underside of the corner pieces provide improved strength and rigidity. The center hole also allows for the addition of accessories, such as signage, awnings, or hallways, as well as arms to help hold cables, lines, and ductwork (including, for example, HVAC systems and electrical and other needs), off the ground and out of the way of workers. The geometry of the corner pieces provides a strong shape and minimal complexity with only three types of corner pieces and only three lengths of pipe in certain embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an assembled module. As shown, pipes 1, 2, 3 (in FIG. 1) have been inserted in the sleeves 8 and connected by corner pieces 4, 5, 6. In this example, a door 20 may be rolled or folded and is shown in an open position rolled up to the side. The doors may be configured in many ways. For example, door 21 may comprise two pieces of material that are attached by zippers to each other and also attached by zippers to the adjoining skin of the shelter. As such door 21 may be removable.

In certain embodiments, the floor and the walls of a module may be removably connected to one another (for example, by zippers) and can be easily removed and replaced, if necessary. The doors can be butted up to and attached to other modules, joining them together to make expandable modular spaces. Those spaces may include living quarters for medical staff, inspection rooms, classification or triage rooms, and emergency rooms, where highly contagious and infectious diseases, such as SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2, also known as Covid-CoV-19, can be treated.

In addition, the modules can be positively pressurize to create a back-flow of air to mitigate any hanging infection in the space.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a configuration of modules in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, module 30 and module 32 are connected by hallway 31. Hallway 31 may be attached to modules 30 and 32 by zippers, or other attachment methods. Module 32 as depicted is directly attached to module 34 by connector 33, which may be, for example, a butt joint, zipper, or other suitable attachment method. Module 34 is also depicted as having multiple doors 37 and 38 to the exterior, which can be used, for example, for expansion or surveilling.

In the context of providing medical care, module 32 could be a waiting area; module 34 could be reserved for performing tests; module 30 could be an on-site lab; module 36 could be a patient treatment area; module 35 could be a visitor room, including a window between modules 35 and 36 so that visitors can see and talk to patients; and standalone module 39 could be an isolation unit to minimize contamination. The traffic flow through the modules helps to minimize the overall time patients are in a static space.

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of a module in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, compact inflatable insulation pads 41 (or other types of insulation) can be affixed to the outside of the structure to improve the insulation and soundproofing characteristics of the modules. Attaching them to the outside of the modules prevents them from coming into contact with contagions (and therefore do not need the same level of cleaning as the interior of the modules), while providing storm and weather proofing, protecting the inhabitants from swings in the weather and temperature. Tie downs and other items can be connected to corner pieces (such as corner piece 5), as described above.

The roof 42 of the module can accommodate the placement of a PV solar panel, or other types of solar panels, to offset power needs. A fan or HVAC unit could be connected to or through (including via ductwork or other venting) the roof 42 or through a wall of the module that either removes air through suction or blows air into or out of the module, preferably providing sufficient airflow to keep the space from becoming infectious.

The shelters can be used for patients that have critical infections or other medical issues that require the higher level of care provided in an ICU ward, including issues that may lead to organ failure. Such patients might be intubated to provide oxygen and may be in the process of receiving treatment for a secondary issue such as liver, lung, or heart failure. For patients who already have an infectious disease that needs to run its course, nurses need to care for them for extended periods of time. The modular nature of the shelters described herein make them particularly adaptable to such situations. For example, patients on O2therapy need to be close to facilities such as restrooms and showers. The modular shelters can be easily configured to attach such facilities, which, in turn, can be serviced by healthcare workers without having to move through the patient's quarters.

The modules can be dimensioned, for example, to comfortably fit four conventional hospital beds, although the design can be scaled down or scaled up depending on hospital needs or other needs. A sterile module could be used so that visitors could visit patients safely. Living quarters for staff or visitors can also be provided in nearby modular shelters.

The modular shelters described herein can be washed or deep cleaned and repurposed as homeless shelters within the community or for other purposes or they can be used for such purposes in the first instance.

Another example of a configuration of modules is shown in FIG. 8. The invention is not limited, however, to the particular configurations shown herein.

The illustrative descriptions of the principles of the present invention are to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosed invention. These descriptions are susceptible to numerous modifications and alternative arrangements by those skilled in the art. Such modifications and alternative arrangements are not intended to be outside the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments but, instead, is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shelter comprising: a plurality of modules, each module comprising a skin; a plurality of sleeves attached to the skin, each sleeve configured to form a passage therethrough; a plurality of pipes, each pipe configured to be positioned within at least one of the sleeves; a plurality of connectors, each connector configured to connect two or more pipes; wherein, when the pipes are positioned within the sleeves and connected by the connectors, a rigid structure is formed having a plurality of sides, including lateral sides, and providing interior space within the rigid structure, and wherein a first module in the plurality of modules has at least one lateral side having a first opening configured to match a second opening in at least one lateral side of a second module in the plurality of modules.
 2. The shelter of claim 1 wherein the at least one lateral side of the first module and the at least one lateral side of the second module are positioned such that the first and second openings form a doorway between the modules.
 3. The shelter of claim 2, wherein the at least one lateral side of the first module is secured to the at least one lateral side of the second module.
 4. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising one or more pads, wherein, the one or more pads are affixed to one or more sides of at least one of the plurality of modules.
 5. The shelter of claim 1 further comprising a solar panel, wherein the solar panel is affixed to the top of at least one module.
 6. The shelter of claim 1, wherein one or more of the connectors have a respective cylindrical portion having a hole therethrough.
 7. The shelter of claim 6, wherein the cylindrical portion of the one or more connectors is configured to provide a point of attachment.
 8. The shelter of claim 7 further comprising a wire or cable, wherein the cylindrical portion of the one or more connectors is configured to receive the wire or cable therethrough.
 9. The shelter of claim 8, wherein the wire or cable is locked to a secure structure.
 10. The shelter of claim 6 further comprising a tamper proof bolt, wherein the cylindrical portion is configured to receive the tamper proof bolt.
 11. The shelter of claim 1, wherein one or more of the pipes and/or connectors are configured to allow electric lines to be run from outside of the shelter to inside the shelter.
 12. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the skin includes a removable door and/or window.
 13. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the skin includes an opening through or to which a fan and/or HVAC unit can be connected.
 14. The shelter of claim 1, wherein the interior of the shelter is positively pressurized. 